"If wasn't laughing I'd be crying"

This is Clara’s “after” picture from an episode that almost tipped me over the edge. She is wearing a Carter’s fleece zip up that our family sometimes calls a Teletubbie suit. This particular Teletubbie suit has been altered and I have now re-named it the “safe sleeper”. It was actually Paul’s mom who came up with the idea when I was dealing with all Maryanna’s taking off her dirty diapers in the crib issues. She suggested cutting off the footies, trimming the neck ribbing and zipping up the back as a solution. Clara is now the one who needs this bedtime/naptime uniform.

It would not have been so bad except I’m feeling a bit frazzled. Paul has been off on an adventure with the two older boys which means I’ve been on my own with the 4 younger ones, or in other words, the 4, 4 and under.

The challenge of this situation didn’t hit me until after I dropped them off at the airport and decided to go straight to the grocery store. So after a 10-minute car seat unbuckle and unload we were off on our own adventure. Little Henry (just barely 2 weeks old) was for the most part quiet in his car seat carrier - if only it didn’t take up so much of the basket space. Clara rode high – half standing in the child’s seat and constantly trying to climb out or bite through the food items just piled up around her – plastic wrappers, peels, and all. Maryanna enjoyed the freedom of not having to ride in the cart and especially loved swinging like a monkey from the handle. Peter was good in staying by my side but whinnying and crying the whole time about being thirsty and having to go to the bathroom. The poor little guy got knocked over 3 times by my cart as it was piled so high with groceries and babies that I could not see him over the top. It took a trip down the bulk food aisle to get us through this grueling errand. Even I was in need of a good treat and soon had a half eaten bag of “energy packed” trail mix spilling all over the inside of my purse.

So I decided maybe it was not a good idea to take this little band of babies out on my own. We celebrated the next day at home and called it “pajama day” because even mommy was still in her Jammies at 6 pm.

Clara’s participation in “pajama day” celebration ended earlier as she found a way to take it all off (including her dirty diaper) during her naptime. I had quite a mess to clean up and it would not have been so bad had I not done a similar clean up just the day before. Also the laundry was really starting to pile up! But I was able to chuckle a bit as I clipped her nails in order to clean up the finest details.

If only it didn’t happened again tonight! After a long night of interrupted sleep, a tiring day of bouncing a colicky baby, 2 other kids that refused to nap, another one who peed on the couch, and a very messy dinner I needed a break (and a shower)! So I settled the older 3 in bed 30 minutes early and began comfortably nursing the baby in quiet of my bed. Peter then steps in my room and casually states “do you know Clara has pooh in her hands and she is rubbing it on her arms, blankie, and crib”. This is the point where tears started welling up in my eyes. I thought to call Paul and just vent! But he was having too much fun and I didn’t want to make him feel guilty. I called my mom and just begged her, “honestly how did you do it? How did you not go totally insane”! She started chuckling and then gave me some practical advice such as “you need some rest” and “it may be time to potty train Clara”. I kept pursuing until she said, “if I didn’t laugh I would have cried”.

So after a good laugh with my mom on the phone I felt much better. I felt good enough to fold two loads of laundry in the bathroom while I watched Clara in the tub and was glad to have shared this little moment with both her and my mom.

Laughing is definately a great coping tool as it is impossible for us moms to anticipate what challenges will greet us in caring for our sweet children. That is half the fun and adventure. These challenges definately help us build our character and stamina as I suppose it will be needed as they all grow into teenagers.

What a great joy it is to have children....just when we think things are falling apart a smile, a hug, and laugh reminds of us of our greatest blessings and what really is most important.